Parishioners of Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary in Salnfeh, Syria, mark Feast of the Assumption with liturgy, procession, and traditional blessing

SALNFEH, Syria — Christian communities worldwide annually celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on 15 August. This holy occasion, commemorating the Virgin Mary’s bodily and spiritual ascent to heaven, is marked with liturgies and spiritual gatherings.

In Salnfeh, a village in the Latakia countryside of western Syria, the local community celebrated the feast with a Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Virgin Mary, one of the province’s oldest Orthodox churches. The service was presided over by Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Bishop of Latakia and Its Dependencies Metropolitan Athanasius Fahd and attended by a large congregation of faithful, clergy, and deacons.

The Divine Liturgy featured prayers and hymns inspired by the occasion, followed by a solemn procession through the streets of Salnfeh. The atmosphere was one of reverence and contemplation, with worshippers offering prayers and supplications for the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

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A traditional blessing and distribution of grapes — a customary ritual associated with the feast — also took place. Deeply rooted in both Orthodox and Catholic traditions, this observance draws believers from various regions who come together in faith and celebration. It stands as a powerful reminder that death is not the end, and that love and faith illuminate the path to eternal life.